TravelTalkOnline

The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever

Posted By: Whale Tail

The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/26/2023 10:14 PM

From the time that the wheels touched the runway to the time we were standing at our rental car with Grand Dad Lesley was 30 minutes!!!!! We were the first big plane in today and parked at the right end of the terminal right by the entrance to arrivals, so no bus required!!!! We were seated in row 1 A and C (no B) so we were the first off the plane and walked into Immigration and it was EMPTY. I quickly went through the maze and I was first in line and the Immigration officer looked at our passports and we were done. The xray machine was not operating so right out the door to be greeted by Lesley.
Now this did not come without a price. We were picked up by our limo at 2am in the morning for the 1 hour drive to Toronto for a 6:30am flight and now we are so tired at 5:30pm we are going to shower and walk over to the Greenhouse or Buccaneer for a lite dinner and back to the Villa at Flamingo and crash.
Lesley presented us with a brand new Toyota Yaris with 47km on it, personally I prefer a "seasoned" car but this is nice.
I took a pic of the new jetway from the plane, just seeing them on the tarmac was a rush!!! A pic of my wife in an empty baggage carousel area is a keeper.
And a pic of Saba so clear and St Kitts and Nevis were easily visible today.
No doubt more to come but I'm hungry.

Attached picture 20230326_105909.jpg
Attached picture 20230326_110646.jpg
Attached picture 20230326_110651.jpg
Attached picture 20230326_122025.jpg
Posted By: RonDon

Re: The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/26/2023 10:23 PM

You must be resting by now so enjoy your stay. We thought of you today when we ate at Mamas Porto Cupecoy and listened to jazz. We first met you there last year.
Posted By: ruralcarrier

Re: The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/26/2023 10:38 PM

You are a lucky person. Enjoy your trip and the special festivities! Give Kareen my best when you see her. Sounds like a great start.
Posted By: jazzgal

Re: The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/26/2023 11:09 PM

Those pics of the empty baggage claim area are amaaaazing! Not many of us get to see it that way. And your spouse is lovely in pink!
Posted By: SXMScubaman

Re: The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/26/2023 11:15 PM

Great start. Which villa building they put you in? 3, 4 or 6?
Posted By: Carol_Hill

Re: The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/26/2023 11:49 PM

Sounds great! Enjoy!!
Posted By: Kennys

Re: The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/27/2023 12:02 AM

Thanks Dear and do enjoy your vacation.
And our vacation traveling aboard has change over the years , its just cooling out with our two children and now plus Baby Z , hence just mellow and good food lol. We are spoiled when it comes going out to eat dinner , Sa la vie from St.Maarten.
Posted By: WWII

Re: The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/27/2023 01:14 AM

Buy a lottery ticket!!
Posted By: pat

Re: The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/27/2023 03:43 AM

Your arrival sounds like ours from last November when we also got to walk to that side door and then we were first on line for every obstacle. Passed through quickly and Lesley, being as only Lesley can be, was right there to whisk us off to our trusty chariot. Wishing you a lovely trip and Iโ€™m thinking some of it will be spent at BSV if Iโ€™m remembering correctly. Enjoy your time. ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š
Posted By: Whale Tail

Re: The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/27/2023 12:29 PM

Good Morning All
RonDon - Yes we remember our Sunday meeting and will be returning for Sunday Jazz this trip.
JD - Yes we will be seeing Kareen and will relay your message. Our special activities will be announced soon.
jazzgal - Thank you and I agree.
Scuba - We are in 4202B. Had to negotiate to get B side.
WWll - Yes I did before leaving Toronto. Haven't checked it yet.
Pat - Thank you. Will be moving over to BSV Saturday for 20 days. Still haven't heard from Tracey re: final confirmation and gate code after a few attempts ??? Will try again.
Now it's off to SMYC for breakfast, the official start of our vacation. Then off to Carefour for supplies, then off to Maho and probably a Simpson Bay walk.
Posted By: Dr Phil SXM

Re: The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/27/2023 01:05 PM

Yes, Air Transat has an early schedule but I have found they are very prompt and their air bus 321 is nice to fly down on. I used to stay at Flamingo before being permanently here in MAHO. Flamingo is great as is the location. Sounds like a good start to your time here. Enjoy.

Drphilsxm
Posted By: pat

Re: The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/27/2023 01:48 PM

Re hearing from BSV, sometimes she gets bogged down between her BSV responsibilities and the new position sheโ€™s taken. If itโ€™s getting critical for you, call and leave her an โ€˜urgentโ€™ message and she usually responds quickly. I so wish we were going to be there in April. First time in almost fifty years we will have missed the Easter/Carnival season on island so enjoy for all of us! ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š
Posted By: SXMScubaman

Re: The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/27/2023 02:54 PM

Good you got the "B" side. Much bigger than the "A" side with a ocean view. Enjoy your stay at our home resort.
Posted By: megamania

Re: The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/27/2023 02:56 PM

From another Ontario resident,,,we fly out Thursday morning from Toronto around 11am......not the first flight. Also not Air transat, Westjet or Air Canada.....we are flying Sunwing,,,,and I cannot lie, I am a wee bit anxious. So many stories still of luggage lost, etc. Oh well, we are going, come hell or high water....and will keep positive, lol It's been too long and we really miss the island. Sounds like you are starting off to a great vacay......looking forward to seeing Lesley upon arrival as well, he is the best! Enjoy your stay.....we are staying at the Azure Guest House for first night, then off to Royal Palm....had to fly a day earlier than our reservation at RP, due to flight schedule......3 more sleeps!!!!!!
Posted By: Dr Phil SXM

Re: The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/27/2023 03:49 PM

Not to worry with the Sunwing flight. Flight 762 at 11:10 AM it is great. I have taken it several times. I have also flown WestJet, Air Canada, Air Transit, as well as Sunwing. All good options. It gets you here. You will arrive just before 4 PM in SXM). The later morning flight from terminal 3 in Toronto usually means that the security line is quicker. Once you clear security in Toronto, you will go to a gate down an escalator and get on the bus to take you to another terminal roughly 10 minutes away. There are less food options there. If you want something to eat such as at Tim Hortons, I would suggest you pick it up before you go to your gate and get on the bus. Just a thought. Enjoy your trip . As you can tell, I am also a fellow Canadian. Cheers,

Drphilsxm
Posted By: megamania

Re: The Absolute Best Airport Arrival Ever - 03/27/2023 04:21 PM

Wow, thank you, that is refreshing news.....and nice tip re the food options....I had heard that we were bussed to a different location to board plane, but was unsure if that was true.....We will just have to get cracking early in morning to hopefully miss most of the rush hour traffic coming in on the 410 to Derry Rd....we live about an hour and half north west of T.O., so will be coming through orangeville, and onto 410 to arrive at park n fly by 7:45 am Thanks for taking the time for your response, I appreciate it.
© 2024 TravelTalkOnline